Journal of Iranian Cultural Research

Journal of Iranian Cultural Research

The model of applying "soft power of higher education" in "science diplomacy": A fundamental strategy for addressing global challenges

Document Type : Scientific Research Manuscript

Authors
1 Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations, Institute for Social and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran
2 Post-doctoral Student in Cultural Studies, Moscow State University of International Relations (MGIMO), Russia
10.22035/jicr.2027.3627.3839
Abstract
This study offers a systematic operationalization of the soft power of higher education within the evolving framework of science diplomacy and foreign policy. Addressing a theoretical gap at the intersection of these domains, the research synthesizes five foundational components—Nye’s soft power theory, the AAAS tripartite model, Gluckman et al.’s interest-driven approach, Flink and Schreiterer’s strategic goals, and McClory and Raimzhanova’s measurement frameworks—into a distinctive six-layer conceptual model. Employing a qualitative research design with directed content analysis of 92 library-based sources published between 1990 and 2025, the findings reveal four key insights: (1) the soft power of higher education is most prominently manifested in the "Science for Diplomacy" dimension; (2) the three strategic objectives—Access, Advancement, and Influence—form a cumulative, logical hierarchy that provides a clear operational pathway; (3) sanctioned countries, exemplified by Iran’s Royan Institute, can utilize specialized institutional scholarly authority to mitigate political constraints; and (4) science diplomacy concurrently functions as a realm for cooperation, competition, and influence. The primary innovation is the proposed six-layer model with a positive feedback loop, which explicates the precise mechanism through which academic capacities are converted into soft power and strategically directed within diplomatic arenas. The study implies that scientific expertise and institutional credibility can substantially moderate political limitations, thereby transforming science diplomacy into an effective channel for managing transnational challenges and asserting influence under constrained conditions.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 December 2026

  • Receive Date 28 January 2026
  • Revise Date 30 May 2026
  • Accept Date 01 July 2026